Improvement in knapsack-hammocks



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.,

GRANVILLE ABBOTT, OF THEIINITED STATES ARM Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN KNAPSACK-HAMMOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 41,418, dated February2, 1864.

`stakes,'the outer covering being removed to show the manner of formingthe hoods or covering for the head and feet. Fig. 2 represents the sameas it appears when used as a hammock swung from and between two trees,with the outer covering in place. Fig. 3 represents the same adapted foruse as a litter. Fig. 4 represents a top View of the same opened andspread out on the ground. Fig. 5 represents the same rolled up into theform of a knapsack. Fig. 6 represents a similar View of the sameprovided with a handle.

The nature of my invention consists in the construction of a knapsackadapted for use I construct my knapsack principally of rub- I ber or oilcloth and canvas, with straps and buckles attached thereto, in orderthat it may be conveyed in the same manner as the knapsack now used.

My knapsack, when unrolled and swung, resembles a hammock very much, butdiffering from it in its combined construction, and in the improvement Ihave made in swinging it where there are no permanent xtures for thatpurpose.

I make my knapsack six feet long, two feet and three inches broad, (whenunrolled,) with small ropes passing through a hem at the edge in eachside, and extending three feet (more or less) from each end thereof, tobe used in swinging the hammock from trees or stakes, as may be mostconvenient. The lining A (shown in Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings)I make of canvas, and the outside or back B of rubber or oil cloth, withan extension, M, of one foot and six inches by three feet and nineinches at each end, to turn over the head and feet of the occupant andform covers therefor when used as ahamr'nock, said covers being fastenedto a suspended line, F, above by a hook, b, in the center ofreach, asshown in Fig. l. The rubber or oil cloth I use for the back B isintended to keep out all dampness and cold winds. I make a pocket at D,the dimensions of which may be ten by fourteen inches, in which to carryextra clothing, and, when the soldier is in bed, answers for a pillow.

The knapsack should be accompanied by a rubber blanket, E, six feet longand three feet and nine inches broad, to be placed across and fastenedto the suspensionline F at night for a shelter to the bed. This blanketcan be used with another one where two swing their k napsacks closetogether, to make thema shelter-tent over their beds or it may be usedon a march when it rains.

I use one light wool blanket, G, six feet long and four feet and sixinches broad, with this knapsack, buttoned to the side, one half tosleep on and the other to cover with, or may be detached and be warmenough for sum` mer.

H represents straps, buckles, &c.

I represents the suspension-cords, and I2 guy-ropes.

.I represents spread-sticks, and K stakes. The stakes and spread-sticksare not intended to be transported, except for ofcers, as they are veryquickly and easily made.

To use this knapsack to convey the wounded from the eld, it should beunrolled, the spread-sticks put in, the soldierplaced on the knapsack,and each end of the knapsack fastened to a pole above by thesuspension-cords. Then he can be carried off at ease.

Vhat I cla-im as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Paten t,is

The back B, formed of water-proof material lined with canvas-cloth A,with an extension, M, at each end, to form hoods or covers for the headand feet of the occupant when u sed as a hammock, in combination with awater-proof blanket, E, suspension-cords I I, and line F, the formerpassing through hems in the sides of the back B, when the whole isconstructed and arranged, so as to form a con-A vertible knapsack,hammock, and litter, in the manner described.

Witnesses: GRANVILLE ABBOTT.

SAM. MAGILL, J oHN D. HUNT.

